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Advice needed please.

My Cary 303/100 cdp remote control recently stopped working and I'm tired of having to get up from my listening position and manually switch tracks. I contacted Cary about my problem and they mentioned that they would search for another remote or remote code for my 303/100. Well, they couldn't find another remote, but they mentioned that they would post the remote control code on their website once they found it. 2 months later and no remote code for a 303/100 on their website. I've had upgraditis of my cdp to something like a Meridian 508.20,508.24, or 588. I'm looking for a smoother sound without sacrificing details. I tried the Audio Aero Prima cdp and liked the results with jazz, classical,and the like, but with rock and similar music, it just didn't cut it for me. Should I stick with another one box cdp or go with a cdp and dac? Recently, I've really been interested in hearing dacs such as Audio Mirror, Scott Nixon, and Ack! dac. The rest of my system consists of Rogue 99 mag pre, Innersound esl amp, and Magnepan 1.6. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
128x128bradz
clio09
3,360 posts
 
My search for a digital upgrade led me to the separates route. I tried a number of CDPs, all of them good, but none of them captured my attention enough. Ultimately I bought into the non-over/upsampling filterless design concept which are used in several models of DACs, most notably Audio Note and 47 Labs (go the their websites to review the tech papers). After several home and store auditions I chose the Audio Mirror and mated it with a TRL modified Alesis ML9600. So now I have a CDP with upsampling if I want it, as well as a HD storage and playback system, digital recording and editing system, and transport. When the digital output of the ML9600 is used with the Audio Mirror it provides non-os filterless digital playback. I recently had a spare Audio Mirror modified by TRL and will be writing a review soon. As it stands after 350 hours of burn-in time, the music is the closest to analog (vinyl, 2-track master reels and DAT) that I have heard. Cost for the whole set-up including mods (less cables) is about $2500. If you prefer the one box and upsampling, check out the TRL Marantz SA-14. There is a thread dedicated to it here.
jond's avatar
jond
5,911 posts
 
I'm personally of the opinion that there are so many good one box players out there right now that seperates aren't necessary. The newer Cary players, the Meridian players that you've mentioned, the various Naim players, the ARC players, etc. I love my own player, a Tube Technology Fusion CD64 but it doesn't pop up used very often. Sorry about the remote situation, and good luck!
pehare's avatar
pehare
835 posts
 
I'd keep hounding Cary. That's a great player (I used to own one) that I found as good as the 306/200.
55dok
162 posts
 
I use an old sony ES as a transport to an ultrajitterbug to a McCormack dac deluxe only because I like having 5 CDs to choose from with my remote. If you are going the single player route, I would skip all the interconnects and get a single box with very low jitter. Some people report that the eastern sound CD player (version 6) out of China is a steal at a bit over $700 shipped from Cattylink. Perhaps you might find a Proceed CDD transport and add a superb DAC etc but expect to pay 3 times the amount by getting separates and good interconnects. My maggie 1.6s are now nearly as pure in the midrange as the sound I used to get from my modded Dayton Wright XG-8 electrostatics. You have to be just as careful in matching your choices of interconnects and speaker cable in order to get the most out of your source.
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